This guidance has been re-issued after a change to the patient access scheme in May 2012. Recommendation 1.1 and section 5.3 of the guidance have been updated (May 2012).

Ranibizumab is recommended as a possible treatment for people with wet AMD if all the following apply to their eye:

The best possible visual acuity after correction with glasses or contact lenses is between 6/12 and 6/96.

There is no permanent damage to the fovea (the part of the eye that helps people to see things in sharp detail).

The area affected by AMD is no larger than 12 times the size of the area inside the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina.

There are signs that the condition has been getting worse.

Treatment should be stopped if a person's vision gets worse and there are changes inside the eye which show that treatment isn't working.

Pegaptanib is not recommended for people with wet AMD. Healthcare professionals should not immediately stop prescribing pegaptanib for people who were already taking it when the guidance was issued. These people should be able to carry on taking pegaptanib until they and their healthcare professionals decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.